Rodeo FX named winner of Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) award

Montreal-based visual effects studio Rodeo FX has been named winner of this year’s Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Award in the outstanding visual effects – Television category for its work on the fourth and final season of the Black Sails TV series.

The HPA recognized Rodeo FX for its work on the season 4 premiere, episode XXIX. The work delivered by Rodeo FX includes the creation of a breathtaking full CG environment of 18th-century Nassau, ocean and water effects, ships, cannons and bullets blasting.

“The final season started with a bang, literally. Our team had an amazing challenge with the epic battle shots, and as dramatic as it is to watch on screen, it was just as exciting to work on behind the scenes,” said Martin Lipmann, VFX supervisor at Rodeo FX and award recipient. “Production for television moves at a very fast pace, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved. Receiving the HPA Award for this work is an honor for our entire team.” Martin Lipmann was nominated alongside Visual Effects Supervisor Erik Henry.

The Starz network’s Black Sails, an Emmy Award-winning historical adventure television series and prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island debuted January 25, 2014 and aired its final episode April 2, 2017.

Rodeo FX Los Angeles Studio Director Deak Ferrand, who worked on Black Sails season 4 as artistic director and senior matte painter, and Executive Producer Cheryl Bainum were present at the Skirball Cultural Center to receive the HPA Award on behalf of Martin Lipmann and the team.

Rodeo FX was previously nominated for a 2016 Emmy and three Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards for its work on season 3 of Black Sails.

A VFX reel and before & after images of Black Sails season 4 are available on Rodeo FX’s website.